Scaffolding

Covers all
scaffolds
used in
1926.450
- Scope,
Application
workplaces
Does not apply to crane or
derrick suspended personnel
platforms, which are covered
by 1926.550(g)
Aerial lifts are covered

1926.450 Purpose
Updates existing standard to include types
of scaffolds such as catenary and step
trestle
Allows flexibility in the use of fall protection
systems to protect employees
Simplifies language, eliminates duplicative
outdated provisions, consolidates
overlapping requirements
Allows employers compliance flexibility

Organization of Standard
1926.450 Scope, application and
definitions applicable to this subpart
1926.451 General requirements
1926.452 Additional requirements
applicable to specific types of scaffolds
1926.453 Aerial lifts
1926.454 Training

Organization of Standard (contd)

Appendix A Scaffold specification
Appendix B (Reserved) Criteria for determining
the feasibility of providing safe access and fall
protection for scaffold erectors and dismantlers
Appendix C List of National Consensus
Standards
Appendix D List of Training Tropics for Scaffold
Erectors and Dismantlers
Appendix E Drawing and Illustrations

Scaffold Definition
Means any temporary elevated platform
(supported or suspended) and its
supporting structure (including points of
anchorage), used for supporting
employees or materials or both.

Competent person
Inspect scaffolding and
components prior to each
work shift
Determine feasibility of
providing fall protection
and access
Evaluate connections to
support load and prevent
swaying
Determine structural
soundness when
intermixing components
manufacturer
Train erectors and
dismantlers to recognize
work hazards

1926.451(a) Capacity
Non-Adjustable
Support its own weight and 4 x
maximum intended load
Suspension rope and
connecting hardware support 6
x maximum intended load

Adjustable
Stall load of scaffold hoist not
to exceed 3 x rated load
Designed by a qualified person
and built to loaded design

1926.451(b) Platform
construction
Fully planked and decked
No more than 1 gap between
adjacent units and platform
and uprights
Max openings between
platform and uprights 9 -1/2
Platform and walkways at
least 18 wide

1926.451(b) Platform
construction (contd)

Each abutted end shall rest on a

separate support surface
Overlap platforms not be less
than 12 only over supports
unless restrained to prevent
movement
On direction changes, platforms
that rests on a bearer at an
angle other than a right angle
must be laid first
Platforms that rest at right
angles over the same bearer
laid second

1926.451(b) Platform
construction (contd)
Front edge of all platforms
No more than 14 from face of work
3 from face for outrigger scaffolds
18 from face for plastering and lathing
operations

Platforms 10 and less to extend at least 6

but not more than 12 past support
Platforms greater than 10 nor more than
18 past support unless

1926.451(b) Platform construction (contd)

Fully planked and decked
Ladder jack, top plate
bracket, roof bracket, and
pump jack scaffold at least
12 wide
Guardrails and/or personal
fall arrest systems for
platforms and runways not
18 wide

1926.451(b) Platform construction (contd)

No paint on wood platforms, except edges that may be
marked for identification
Fully planked between from upright and guardrail
No mixed components, unless compatible and integrity
maintained
No modification of mixed components unless approved
by competent person
No components or dissimilar metals unless competent
person determines galvanic action will not reduce
strength

1926.451(c) Supported scaffolds

Restrained from tipping
by guys, ties, or
equivalent when higher
than 4:1 ratio
Support installed per
recommendations or at
closest horizontal
member to the 4:1
height

1926.451(c) Supported scaffolds (contd)

Never use scaffolds that
do not have proper
guardrails installed

1926.451(c) Supported scaffolds (contd)

Scaffold platforms
must be fully
planked

1926.451(c) Supported scaffolds (contd)

Must bear on adequate
foundations
Unstable objects will not
be used as working
platforms
Plumbed and braced

1926.451(e) Access
Must have safe access
Cross-braces prohibited as means
of access
Bottom rung no more than 24 high
Rest platforms required at 35
intervals
Slip-resistant treads on all steps
and landings
September 2, 1997, sets access for
erectors and dismantlers
Can use end frames for access

1926.451(e) Access (contd)

Hook-on attachable ladders
Specifically designed for type
of scaffold
Lowest rung no more than 24
inches above level on which
scaffold is supported
Rest platforms at 35 foot
intervals when more than 35
feet high
Minimum rung length 11
inches, and a maximum
space between rungs 16
inches

1926.451(f) Use
Never overloaded
Erected, moved, dismantled
and altered near power lines
Repair in place or replace
damaged components
Restrict horizontal movement
with employees unless
designed by registered P.E.
Prohibit work activities during
high winds unless authorized
by C.P.
Remove whole scaffold from
service until repaired

1926.451(f) Use (contd)

Proper clearance near overhead lines

1926.451(f) Use (contd)

No work on snow, or ice
covered platforms
No barrels, boxes or
ladders on top of scaffolds

1926.451(g) Fall protection (PFAS or

guardrails)
Required at 10
May be used in lieu of
guardrails on some scaffolds
PFAS and guardrails on
suspension scaffolds
Required for erectors and
dismantlers after September 2,
1997 if feasible and no greater
hazard
Top-rails after 1-1-2000, 38 to
45 high
In some cases, may use cross
bracing in lieu of top-rail or midrail

1926.451(h) Falling object protection

Hardhats required for
employee
Protect employees below
from falling objects
Toe-boards
Canopies
Barricades

Mobile
Plumb, level and squared
Braced to prevent collapse
Casters and wheels locked to
prevent movement while in a
stationary position
Platforms must not extend beyond
the base supports of the scaffold,
unless stability is ensured

Mobile (contd)
Not allowed to ride on scaffolds unless the following exist
Surface on which scaffold is being moved is within 3
degrees of level, and free of pits, holes and
obstructions
Height to base width ratio during movement is 2:1 or
less
Outrigger frames, when used, are installed on both
sides of the scaffold
When power systems are used, the propelling force is:
Applied directly to the wheels
Does not produce a speed in excess of 1 foot per
second
No employee is on any part of the scaffold that extends
beyond the wheels, casters, or other supports

Suspended scaffolds
Suspended scaffolds
are platforms
suspended by ropes,
or other non-rigid
means, from an
overhead structure

Two point swing stage

Platform limited to 36
Platform securely fastened to
hangars
Platforms must be of ladder, plank
or beam type
Must not be bridged together
unless bridge and hoist is
appropriately sized

1926.453 - Aerial lifts

Must meet ANSI criteria
Secured to lower traveling position
by a locking device before moving
Ensure proper fall protection prior
to using
Includes use of guardrails

Lifts must allow you to access

heights and work from a protected
area

Aerial lifts (contd)

Requires use of body belt or
harness and lanyard
Worker must stand on floor of
basket
Never exceed load capacity
Do not move lift truck with
workers in basket unless
adequately designed (upper
controls personnel carriers)
Brakes set for outrigger use
(wheels chocked)

Aerial lifts (contd)

Vehicle-mounted or self-propelled elevating work
platforms training is required!

All pneumatic and hydraulic components must comply with

ANSI A92.2.1969 and non-critical parts must have a
burst factor of 2:1

Resources
www.osha.gov
29 CFR 1926.451
NSHA-OSHA Job Site Safety Handbook

http://www.osha.gov/publications/osha2202.h
tml
Construction Industry Digest
Scaffolding Industry Association

http://www.scaffold.org
American National Standards Institute
A92 (SIA): Scaffolds and other elevating devices